Ten years ago, our homes looked very different.
In 2016, interiors were all about cool greys, soft blush pinks, teal accents and Scandi-inspired simplicity. Rooms felt light, pared-back and Pinterest-perfect, often built around clean lines, pale woods and a neutral base with just a hint of colour. Fast-forward to 2026, and while some of those much-loved shades are finding their way back in, the mood has shifted. Recent trend coverage points to a warmer, more layered palette in 2026, with earthy tones, retro greens, bolder ceilings and revived 2016 colours being reworked for today’s homes.
Today’s interiors are warmer, richer and far more expressive. We’re seeing a move away from “safe” decorating and towards colour schemes that feel personal, nostalgic and lived in; not in a dated way, but in a way that feels comforting, familiar and full of character.
So, what exactly has changed in the last decade? And how can you bring a little bit of that 2016 nostalgia into your home without it feeling stuck in the past?
What interiors looked like in 2016
- Cool-toned greys
- Pale blush pinks
- Crisp white walls
- Copper and rose gold accessories
- Scandinavian styling
- Soft teal and sage accents
Paint-wise, that often meant soft neutrals and muted pastels, colours that felt fresh and easy to style but often sat on the cooler side of the spectrum.
Back then, shades like like soft pinks, sage greens and teal felt modern because they softened the starkness of white and grey.
They added personality, but in a way that still felt subtle.
Whats changed in 2026?
In 2026, the mood is different.
Homes are becoming warmer, more tactile and more expressive, with colour being used in a more confident, all-over way. Instead of just adding personality through accessories, people are using paint to shape the mood of a room from the very start.
We’re seeing more:
- Earthy reds and terracotta
- Olive and heritage greens
- Soft but warmer neutrals
- Cocooning blues
- Rich browns and grounding tones
- Colour on ceilings, woodwork and architectural details
There’s also been a shift in how colour is used. Where 2016 often favoured a single “accent” shade, 2026 is more about layering tonal colour, colour drenching, and creating spaces that feel immersive rather than minimal.
It’s less about perfection and more about personality.
And that’s exactly why nostalgia works so well right now.
Why nostalgia is influencing interiors again
There’s a reason 2016-inspired colours are making a comeback.
Nostalgic decorating taps into something emotional. It brings back colours, moods and memories that feel familiar, and in a world that often feels fast-moving, that sense of comfort can be incredibly appealing.
But today’s take on nostalgia is more refined.
Rather than recreating a full 2016 room exactly as it was, people are pulling out the elements they still love; a soft pink, a teal accent, a sage wall, and reworking them in a way that feels more elevated, more layered and more in tune with how we want our homes to feel now.
That means:
- Warmer pairings
- Deeper, moodier versions of familiar shades
- More natural textures
- And less contrast, more cohesion
So, if you’ve ever looked back at old Pinterest boards or remembered a colour trend you genuinely loved, this is your sign to bring it back; just with a more 2026 point of view.
How to bring 2016 trends into your home ina 2026 way
Swap cool grey for warmer neutrals
Grey was everywhere in 2016, but in 2026, it’s all about softening it.
Instead of icy greys or flat greige, today’s neutral schemes lean warmer and more natural. Think shades that still feel calm and versatile, but with a little more depth and softness.
Try:
-
Sugar Bowl® for a warm greige feel
-
Fresh Coconut® for a softer white
-
Magnolia for a creamy neutral with warmth
These shades create the same clean backdrop people loved in 2016, but in a way that feels less stark and more welcoming.
Revisit blush pink, but make it dustier
Soft pink was one of the defining shades of the mid-2010s, and it’s still got a place in modern interiors, just in a more grounded form.
Rather than pairing pale pink with bright white and metallics, 2026 styling is all about using pink in a softer, more grown-up way.
Try:
- Fairy Dust for a delicate pastel pink
- Made With Love for a warmer, more cocooning pink
- Crème de la Rose for a muted, contemporary take on blush
These shades work beautifully in bedrooms, reading corners and living spaces where you want warmth, softness and just a touch of nostalgia.
Bring back teal, but use it more boldly
Teal had a real moment in 2016, often used in velvet accessories, statement chairs or feature walls. Now, it’s returning in a more intentional, room-defining way.
Instead of keeping it to one corner of the room, use deeper blue-green shades to create atmosphere and depth.
Try:
- Teal for a rich, classic blue-green
- Blue Glaze® for a softer, more muted version
- Moonlight Bay® if you want a lighter, more relaxed take
Teal works especially well in living rooms, dining spaces and darker corners where you want to create a sense of calm and character.
Update sage green with richer, earthier greens
Sage green was a huge favourite in 2016, and it never really disappeared. But in 2026, green has become richer, warmer and more nuanced.
Where once we leaned towards pale, cool sage, now we’re seeing greens that feel more grounded and connected to nature.
Try:
- Poetry for a soft, elegant sage
- Craft Fair for a more timeless mid-toned green
- Emerald Vision if you want something with more depth and heritage character
These shades still give you that fresh, restorative feel, but with more warmth and sophistication.
Use paint beyond the walls
One of the biggest differences between 2016 and 2026 is where we’re using colour.
Ten years ago, most people played it safe with walls and kept ceilings, woodwork and alcoves white. Today, colour is being used much more creatively, and that’s one of the easiest ways to make a nostalgic shade feel current.
Try using your chosen colour on:
- A painted ceiling
- Skirting boards or architraves
- A half wall
- Shelving or alcoves
- Interior doors or furniture
A 2016-inspired colour can feel instantly more modern when it’s used in a more unexpected way.
The key to making nostalgia feel stylish, not dated
The difference between nostalgic and outdated usually comes down to how you style it.
To make older colour trends feel right for now, focus on balance:
- Pair pastel or retro-inspired shades with natural wood and textured fabrics
- Add warm whites instead of stark contrast
- Mix in earthier tones to stop the scheme feeling too sweet or overly themed
- Keep the palette tonal and cohesive rather than overly “matchy”
The aim isn’t to recreate 2016 exactly as it was. It’s to take the shades and ideas that still resonate and give them a new context.
That’s what makes nostalgic decorating feel personal rather than performative.
Why paint is the easiest way to tap into nostalgia
You don’t need to fully redecorate to bring a little nostalgia home.
Paint is one of the simplest ways to reconnect with a colour or mood you’ve always loved, whether that’s a blush pink bedroom, a teal living room, or the soft green kitchen you pinned years ago and never quite forgot.
And because today’s decorating is so much more flexible, there’s no pressure to follow trends exactly. You can borrow from the past, soften it for the present, and create something that feels completely your own.
Old favourites, new energy
If 2016 was about clean lines and curated calm, 2026 is about comfort, warmth and character.
The colours may be familiar, but the way we use them has changed, and that’s exactly what makes them exciting again.
So, whichever colour you’re drawn to, there’s plenty of room to bring a little nostalgia into your home, just in a way that feels fresher, softer and far more you.
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